Hike Feature: Summits

  • Killington Summit via Bucklin Trail

    Killington Summit via Bucklin Trail

    Killington (4235′) is the highest peak in the Coolidge Range. The Bucklin Trail is located on the western side and is the most direct approach to the summit.  

    At Brewer’s Corners parking lot navigate to the Bucklin Trail. The trail gradually follows an old road for about 2 miles before leaving the road and beginning a steadier climb to intersect with the Long Trail (3.3 mi). Turn right to follow the Long Trail south for a short distance to Cooper Lodge. Cooper Lodge is the highest overnight structure on the Long Trail at 3,900’. After the lodge, take the spur trail on the left to reach the summit. The spur trail is only 0.2 mi to the summit, but is extremely steep and may require some scrambling. The open, rocky summit affords fantastic 360 views (3.6 mi). To return, take the spur trail back down to Cooper Lodge, continuing onto the Long Trail till meeting up with Bucklin (7.2 mi). 

  • Maine Junction via AT/LT

    Maine Junction via AT/LT

    The Long Trail (LT) and Appalachian Trail (AT), two long distance hiking trails, overlap in Vermont from Massachusetts for roughly 100 miles. The AT splits off from the LT in Killington at what is known as the Maine Junction.  

    Starting at the AT/LT VT Rt. 4 parking lot, cross US-4 (please note that this is a very busy road). Follow Long Trail North for 1.0 mi towards Willard Gap and Maine Junction with the Appalachian Trail. Continue onto the Appalachian Trail going south for 0.9 mi (1.9 mi). At the intersectionwhere the AT continues east, take the Sherburne Pass Trail going south for 0.5 mi towards Sherburne Pass (2.4 mi). Cross US-4 with caution as this crossing is busy and on a blind hill (note that this crossing is 1.0 mi east from the first crossing at the AT/LT parking lot). Continue across the parking lot for Sherburne Pass/Pico Peak/Deer Leap back into the woods. Follow Sherburne Pass Trail for 2.7 mi. to intersection with Pico Camp (5.1 mi). Continue another 0.4 mi to Jungle Junction (5.5 mi). From Jungle Junction with the Long Trail, turn right onto Long Trail South for 3.8 mi back to AT/LT VT US- 4 parking lot (9.3 mi).

  • Killington Summit via Sherburne Pass Trail

    Killington Summit via Sherburne Pass Trail

    For a longer trip to the top of Vermont’s second-highest peak, take the Sherburne Pass Trail south from the parking lot at Rt 4. Pass Pico Camp (2.7 mi) and continue another 0.4 mi to an intersection with the Long Trail at Jungle Junction (3.1 mi). Follow the LT South as it gradually climbs for 2.3 miles to Cooper Lodge, the highest shelter on the Long Trail at 3,900’ (5.4 mi).

    From Cooper Lodge, continue on the LT 0.2 mi to the 0.2 mi Killington Spur to climb steeply to the summit (5.8 mi.). This final spur trail is the hardest part of the whole hike, but leads to an open summit with 360-degree views so the reward is substantial! Return the way you came for 11.6 miles 

  • Forest City, Long Trail, and Burrows Trail Loop

    Forest City, Long Trail, and Burrows Trail Loop

    This challenging loop to the Camel’s Hump summit is a fun alternative to the popular out-and-back Burrows route. 

    Starting at the Lower/Forest City lot, take Forest City Trail follow an old logging road and cross over Brush Brook, passing an intersection with the Forest City Connector (0.8 mi). Continue on Forest City Trail, climbing gradually for 1.4 mi. to the intersection with Montclair Glen Lodge and the Long Trail (2.2 mi). Turn left/north on the white-blazed Long Trail North and continue straight for 0.2 mi. through a four-way intersection in Wind Gap (2.4 mi). From Wind Gap, Long Trail North climbs 1.5 rugged miles to an intersection with the Alpine Trail (3.9 mi). This section of trail includes rock scrambles which may be challenging for some dogs.

    Soon after passing the Alpine Trail junction, the summit is a steep 0.2 mi on open rock (4.1 mi). Note that this side of the summit is extremely steep open rock and may not be appropriate for people with an intense fear of heights. Ascent will be significantly more difficult in the rain or fog. 

    The summit of Camel’s Hump is one of the five tallest in Vermont at 4,083’ and offers 360-degree views to the Adirondacks, Whites, and Green Mountains. From the summit, continue on Long Trail North over the summit for 0.3 mi until reaching the Hut Clearing (4.4 mi). Take a left onto Burrows Trail at this intersection, and continue on Burrows Trail for 2.1 mi until reaching the Upper Forest City/Burrows lot (6.5 mi). You can either take the Forest City Connector (0.1 mi) back to the Forest City Trail (0.8 mi) or hike down the road back to your car for a total of 7.6 miles. 

    Note: Camel’s Hump is home to the alpine zone, one of the three peaks in Vermont that has arctic tundra. The plants are fragile and easily damaged. Help protect the alpine zone by doing the rock walk above treeline, staying on the bare rock. In the summer, a caretaker facilitates summit education, educating hikers about fragile ecosystems at high-use sites along the Long Trail.   

  • Burrows Trail

    Burrows Trail

    See the results of a three-year restoration of the extremely popular Burrows Trail, completed by GMC and FPR in 2024. This trail is steep and difficult, but the work put in by crews over the last three years has made the footing a lot more manageable. There are a few new re-routes on the lower part of the trail that were built with sustainable grades, and hundreds of new stone steps to help hikers and slow the flow of water on the trail. 

    From Upper Forest City/Burrows parking area, enter the woods at the edge of the lot, cross a bridge, and begin ascending moderately and steadily on Burrows Trail. After 2.1 miles, reach the “Hut Clearing,” where the Long Trail, Monroe Trail, and Burrows Trail all meet. Turn right, following signs for Long Trail South, to ascend another 0.3 miles to the summit (2.4 mi). This portion of the trail is above treeline and requires some careful footing and light rock scrambling. Take in the 360-degree view from the summit, then return the way you came, traversing back down to Hut Clearing to take the Burrows Trail back 2.1 miles (4.8 mi). 

    Note: Camel’s Hump is home to the alpine zone, one of the three peaks in Vermont that has arctic tundra. The plants are fragile and easily damaged. Help protect the alpine zone by doing the rock walk above treeline, staying on the bare rock. In the summer, a caretaker facilitates summit education, educating hikers about fragile ecosystems at high-use sites along the Long Trail. 

  • Camel’s Hump Summit via Monroe and Alpine Trails

    Camel’s Hump Summit via Monroe and Alpine Trails

    From the Monroe Parking lot, follow the blue-blazed Monroe Trail for 1.3 mi. At the intersection with Dean Trail, stay right on Monroe for 1.2 mi (2.5 mi). At intersection with the Alpine Trail continue right on Alpine Trail for 1.2 mi (3.7 mi). Turn left onto Long Trail South for 0.8 mi towards the summit (4.5 mi). From the Hut Clearing continue on Long Trail South for 0.3 mi (4.8 mi). to the summit.  The summit of Camel’s Hump is one of the five tallest in Vermont at 4,083’ and offers 360-degree views to the Adirondacks, Whites, and Green Mountains. Continue over the summit on Long Trail South for 0.3 mi. until reaching the yellow-blazed Alpine Trail (5.1 mi). Note that this side of the summit is extremely steep open rock and may not be appropriate for people with an intense fear of heights. Descent will be significantly more difficult in the rain or fog. 

    Turn left on the Alpine Trail and pass the site of a plane crash. A very short detour leads to the wing of a B-24J Liberator military airplane that crashed in 1944, killing all but one of the men aboard. Please be respectful of the site if visiting. Follow Alpine Trail to the intersection with Monroe (5.6 mi). Take Monroe Trail for 2.5 back to parking lot (8.1 mi).  

    Note: Camel’s Hump is home to the alpine zone, one of the three peaks in Vermont that has arctic tundra. The plants are fragile and easily damaged. Help protect the alpine zone by doing the rock walk above treeline, staying on the bare rock. In the summer, a caretaker facilitates summit education, educating hikers about fragile ecosystems at high-use sites along the Long Trail.   

  • Camel’s Hump Summit via Monroe and Dean Trails

    Camel’s Hump Summit via Monroe and Dean Trails

    From the Monroe Parking lot, follow the blue-blazed Monroe Trail for 1.3 mi. At the first intersection take a left onto Dean Trail, continuing for 1.0 mi. to Wind Gap (2.3 mi). From Wind Gap take a right onto Long Trail North. Follow for 1.5 mi. to the summit of Camel’s Hump (3.8 m.). The summit of Camel’s Hump is one of the five tallest in Vermont at 4,083’ and offers 360-degree views to the Adirondacks, Whites, and Green Mountains. Continue over the summit on Long Trail North for 0.3 mi. until reaching the Hut Clearing and intersection with Monroe Trail (4.1 mi). Continue right on to Monroe Trail for 3.1 mi back to trailhead (7.2 mi).  
     

    Note: The Camel’s Hump summit is home rare arctic alpine vegetation, one of only three remaining alpine zones in Vermont. The plants are fragile and easily damaged. Help protect the alpine zone by doing the “rock walk” above treeline, staying on the bare rock between the white string. In the summer, a caretaker facilitates summit education, educating hikers about fragile ecosystems at high-use sites along the Long Trail.   

  • Mt. Abraham via the Long Trail

    Mt. Abraham via the Long Trail

    From the Lincoln Gap trailhead, hike north on the Long Trail for 1.7 miles to Battell Shelter. Continue 0.9 miles on Long Trail North (2.6 mi). This section north of the shelter includes a few rocky scrambles before emerging above tree line and reaching the Mount Abraham summit at 4,006’. Mt. Abe is one of the five 4,000-foot peaks in Vermont, and from the summit there are views of the Champlain Valley and Adirondack Mountains. The summit is also home to a small amount of rare and fragile alpine vegetation. Please take care to walk only on rock, as the plants are easily permanently damaged by foot traffic. To return, head back down the Long Trail going south for 2.6 mi. (5.2 mi).  
     

  • Monroe Skyline

    Monroe Skyline

    This classic section of the Long Trail, the Monroe Skyline day hike, requires two cars and a drop-off at one end of the hike. It can be hiked in either direction but this description goes north to south. This hike summits two of Vermont’s five 4,000-foot peaks (Mt. Abraham and Mt. Ellen). Allow all day for this hike, or stay overnight around the halfway point at Glen Ellen Lodge. 

    From the Appalachian Gap parking lot on Route 17, cross Route 17 to begin on Long Trail South. Begin climbing up General Stark Mountain, over rock ledges, some with rebar ladders. This section of trail may be challenging for pets. Pass the Mad River Glen Sunnyside Chairlift station, and after 1.8 steep miles, reach Theron Dean Shelter, with a unique trail through a cave. Continue past the shelter for 0.6 mi. until reaching Stark’s Nest at 3,644’ (2.4 mi). From here, most of the elevation change is more gradual as you continue along the ridgeline. Reach General Stark Mountain 3,662’ (3.0 mi). Continue straight on the Long Trail, passing the summits of Mt. Ellen (5.2 mi), Castlerock (6.8 mi), Lincoln Peak (8.1 mi), and finally Mt. Abraham (8.9 mi.), with its open, alpine summit. Begin to descend, scrambling in places, and pass Battell Shelter on the left at (9.7 mi.), before reaching Lincoln Gap and your second car in the parking lot at 11.5 mi. 

    This portion of the Long Trail, from Lincoln Gap to the Winooski River, is named the Monroe Skyline in honor of Prof. Will S. Monroe, who led the effort to build this section of trail in the 1910s.

  • Section Hike: Camel’s Hump to Route 108

    Section Hike: Camel’s Hump to Route 108

    This challenging, 35-mile itinerary traverses some of the most iconic summits of the Long Trail, Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield, and crosses the Winooski River Valley. With 10,000 feet of elevation gain, it offers amazing 360-degree views of the Long Trail, the White Mountains in New Hampshire, Lake Champlain, and the Adirondacks in New York. Below is one option.

    • Day 1: Forest City Trail to Montclair Glen Lodge, 1.4 miles. (Can combine with Day Two for a four-day trip)
    • Alternate Day 1: Monroe Trail to Hump Brook Tenting Area, 1.3 miles. (Can combine with Day Two for a four-day trip)
    • Day 2: Montclair Glen Lodge to Bamforth Ridge Shelter, 6 miles; summit Camel’s Hump
    • Day 3: Bamforth Ridge Shelter to Buchanan Shelter, 12 miles; cross Winooski River
    • Day 4: Buchanan Shelter to Butler Lodge, 11 miles
    • Day 5: Butler Lodge to Route 108, 6 miles; summit Mansfield